Peace lilies can nearly grow in a closet, but that doesn’t mean you should keep them there. These plants rarely blossom when grown in low light. So, if you’re looking for foliage, plant your peace lily in a dark spot. If you want blossoms, however, place it in a strong, indirect light source. Just make sure there aren’t any draftspeace lilies are sensitive to chilly temperatures because they’re tropical.
Although most peace lilies are grown as houseplants, if you live in zones 10 to 12, you can grow them outside. Plant them in a shady location (where they’ll naturally receive considerably more ambient light than if they were growing inside) in slightly wet soil.
Keep your peace lily plant away from children and pets since the leaves contain a chemical that can induce swelling of the tongue or even vomiting if eaten.
Can you put a peace lily outside in the summer?
The peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) is a tropical plant recognized for its lovely foliage and fascinating, odd flowers, despite the fact that its name includes the word lily. Its botanical name, also known as white anthurium or white sails, means “leaf spathe” in Greek, referring to the white spathe, or modified leaf, that makes up part of its blossom. Although peace lilies are commonly planted as houseplants, they also thrive in warm climates or during the hot summer months in cooler climates.
How do you take care of a peace lily outside?
- Consistency is crucial when it comes to watering. Maintain a constant moisture level in the soil while avoiding overwatering. Peace lilies can survive dry soil for short periods of time, but if left alone for too long, their leaves will turn brown.
- Chemicals usually present in tap water, such as fluoride, are toxic to peace lilies and can cause brown leaf tips. If feasible, use filtered, room-temperature water.
- Peace lilies thrive in humid environments. Misting the plant’s leaves or setting it on a moistened tray of gravel will assist to boost humidity around it.
- Because peace lilies aren’t heavy feeders, fertilize only once in a while. Starting in late winter, fertilize every 6 weeks or so with a balanced houseplant fertilizer to support spring and summer growth.
- Because peace lilies are a tropical plant, keep them away from drafty windows and at temperatures over 60°F (16°C). They thrive in temperatures over 70°F (21°C).
- Keep these plants in a bright, well-lit spot, away from direct afternoon sunshine. An east-facing window is great since it will receive the beautiful morning sun while avoiding the harsh midday rays.
How to Get Peace Lilies to Flower
- If the plant isn’t blooming, it’s most likely because it isn’t getting enough light. Low light tolerance is high in peace lilies, but low light does not mean no light! Move the plant to a brighter place where it will receive bright, indirect light to enhance flowering.
- Improper fertilization might result in green flowers, weak-looking flowers, or a general absence of flowers. Reduce the amount of fertilizer applied to green blooms. If your flowers are poor or there aren’t any, consider using a fertilizer designed for blooming plants. This fertilizer will have a higher phosphorus content, which plants require for blooming.
How cold is too cold for a peace lily?
Temperature Requirements for Peace Lilies Cool temperatures of 40 to 55 degrees will not harm the peace lily, but they will significantly inhibit its growth. Temperatures below 40 degrees might cause plant damage or death.
When can I put my peace lily outside?
In USDA hardiness zones 10-12, Peace Lilies can thrive outside. Peace Lilies can be planted directly in the ground as a ground cover or in huge containers. If there’s a chance of frost, bring your Peace Lilies inside. For the greatest results, Peace Lilies should be pruned on a regular basis and planted in dappled shade. Temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit should be avoided (12.7 degrees Celsius).
How long do peace lilies live?
Even if that someone is a plant, predicting how long they will live is difficult. You can, however, predict whether or not a plant will live long enough to pay off your investment. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum sp.) are regarded for their attractiveness, ease of growth, and capacity to purify the air. Peace lilies survive for three to five years on average.
How often should you water a peace lily?
Your Happiness Lily likes to be watered once a week, but it will let you know when it needs water by drooping its leaves. During the winter, you can water your plant only once every two weeks.
How do you save a dying peace lily?
In the long run, the key to reviving a drooping peace lily is to mimic some of the moisture conditions of its native habitat, but in the short term, give it a nice bath.
- Place your peace lily in a basin of water for 10 minutes if the soil feels dry. When soil dries up, it can reject water from the surface, preventing moisture from getting to the roots. Soaking the soil causes water to effectively permeate the soil, allowing the roots to draw up much-needed hydration.
- Increase the number of times you water your plants. After the initial soak, give the peace lily a week to dry out and see how rapidly the soil dries. Between waterings, the soil should feel somewhat dry to the touch, and when watered properly, the soil should feel equally moist (not saturated) to a finger depth. In most houses, watering once a week is sufficient, but if your area is unusually hot and dry, you may need to change your watering schedule.
- Always give your peace lily a good soak when watering. Watering seldom simply moistens the soil’s surface; the water does not penetrate deeply enough to reach the roots, causing drought stress and leaf drooping. Always use enough water to allow excess water to drain from the pot’s base. This ensures that the dirt in the pot is evenly hydrated.
- Using a mist spray, mist the leaves. Peace lilies are tropical plants that grow in moist environments. Use a spray mist on the leaves at least once a week to duplicate this in your house and create a humid microclimate. If you reside in a dryer climate or during the winter, when the air in dwellings is usually dryer owing to heating, increase how often you mist. This mimics the humidity of the native environment of the peace lily and decreases the rate of transpiration (water loss) from the leaves.
- Heat and air currents should be kept away from the plant. Peace lilies love to be in the same place all of the time. Because forced air and air conditioning might dehydrate the leaves, place your peace lily in a quiet part of your home.
After 2 or 3 watering cycles and a regular mist spray, the drought-stressed peace lily should look considerably better.
(Read my post about how much and how often to water peace lilies for more watering tips.)
Can lilies be planted outside?
If you take care to ensure the growing conditions are suitable, potted lilies can thrive after being replanted outside. According to the Lily Garden, most lilies demand sunny to somewhat shady locations as well as well-drained soil rich in organic content. Before the ground freezes, the optimum time to grow lilies outdoors is in the fall, usually from September to early October. Lilies should be planted 6 to 8 inches deep. Mulch around the bulbs to keep them cool and the soil moist. When the plants reach 6 to 10 inches tall in the spring, fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer.
Can peace lily survive winter?
Cold injury caused by drafts or temps below 40 degrees Fahrenheit are two more factors that can harm a peace lily, but are rare in your situation at this time of year. Because it thrives in the average indoor temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees, the peace lily is an excellent houseplant. This winter, keep the peace lily away from non-insulated windows and doors, since it will be harmed by cold drafts. Leaf curling, yellowing, and browning can occur when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Brown tips on the leaves might be caused by low humidity, which is frequent indoors during the winter heating season. Leaves with a lot of damage should be removed, and the brown on other leaves should be gently trimmed away.
Where do you put a peace lily?
Where can I find a peace lily to grow? Choose a location away from doors and fire places for peace lilies that receive bright, indirect light and are perfectly insulated from cold draughts. Because peace lilies are accustomed to a tropical climate, they thrive in a humid area, such as a bathroom.